Charlie and his best friends are finally on the same soccer team. But is it a winning combination? Charlie Bumpers and his best friends are finally on the same soccer team and are sure the Pirates will be the best team ever! But their high hopes are crushed on the first day of practice. Not only do they have a bunch of shrimpy and inexperienced teammates, but also their new coach doesn't believe in star players. And the first few games provide little to be proud of. If they can't be on a winning team, Charlie thinks maybe he, Tommy, and Hector can at least win the prize for selling the most candy bars for the team fundraiser. But after a series of near catastrophes, Charlie and his friends learn that hotshot plays and gimmicky sales techniques aren't as effective as hard work, honesty, and cooperation. Black and white illustrations throughout.

Charlie Bumpers juggles school bullies and a wacky scheme to keep his best friend from moving in this heartfelt conclusion to Bill Harley's beloved middle grade series. When Charlie learns that Hector's family is moving back to Chile at the end of the year, he is crushed. So with Tommy's help, he immediately starts cooking up schemes to keep Hector here, including a campaign to get him selected as next year's School Ambassador. (Surely Hector will have to stay, Charlie reasons, if he has such an important job.) As usual, Charlie's schemes lead to one near-disaster after another. But moving away from his friends turns out to be the least of Hector's problems. Three mean boys have targeted him for bullying and are making his life miserable. Hector wants to solve the problem by himself, but Charlie and Tommy see that he needs help. They start a campaign to save Hector and to defeat "The Jerzollies of Darkness." Black and white illustrations throughout.

It's Career Week, and Charlie Bumpers has convinced everyone that his dad would be the greatest speaker ever. But what happens when his dad loses his job? While his classmates are boasting about their parents' jobs, fourth grader Charlie Bumpers gets carried away and leaves the impression that his accountant dad is not only the president of his company but also that he will hand out free calculators to everyone. Then, with rumors flying around the school and expectations escalating, Charlie tells his teacher that his dad can speak to their class during Career Week. But just before the big event, Mr. Bumpers loses his job. How will Charlie explain to his class? Will his dad still come in during Career Week? Fortunately, Mr. Bumpers has some very surprising plans of his own. Black-and-white illustrations by Adam Gustavson enhance readers' enjoyment of the story.